Oklahoma state Senate Democrat declares candidacy for U.S. Senate

State Sen. Constance N. Johnson declared her candidacy Tuesday for the U.S. Senate, saying she wants to boost funding for education, protect citizens from domestic spying and speak for those who feel abandoned by government.

Johnson, D-Forest Park, is running to succeed Republican U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn. She is trying to become the first Democrat in Oklahoma to win a U.S. Senate election in nearly a quarter-century.

“I believe this is a very winnable race,” said Johnson, 61. “I think it will be a ground game of us talking to the people about the concerns that matter to them and then helping them believe they do have a reason to vote.”

She also said her campaign will allow her to address issues that otherwise wouldn’t get an airing.

“There are many concerns that don’t get addressed when one person is trying to be more conservative than the other,” she said.

Johnson said she will bring up issues of importance to women, including pay equality, domestic violence and the large number of incarcerated women in the state.

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Rick Green is the Capitol Bureau Chief of The Oklahoman. A graduate of Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif., he worked as news editor for The Associated Press in Oklahoma City before joining The Oklahoman.